Blocked Stoma [upd] -

“It was working fine yesterday,” his wife whispered, wringing her hands. “Lots of output. Then tonight… nothing. And he started vomiting.”

“Mr. Hendricks, did you eat anything different today?” she asked.

She ordered warm water and a few drops of dish soap—an old nursing trick—and drew it into a large syringe with a soft catheter. Gently, she flushed the stoma, massaging the surrounding abdomen in slow circles. At first, nothing. Then a trickle of brown liquid. Then a small, almond-shaped pellet popped out, followed by a gush of gas and fecal matter that filled the bag in seconds. blocked stoma

Emily smiled, washed her hands, and turned to his wife. “No more nuts, seeds, popcorn, or raw vegetables until he’s fully healed. And even then, chew everything to mush.”

Emily’s stomach tightened. Blocked stoma. One of the most urgent complications in post-op care. She pulled on her white coat and hurried down the dim corridor. “It was working fine yesterday,” his wife whispered,

Emily gently examined the stoma. Normally, a healthy stoma was pink, moist, and slightly raised. This one looked different—swollen, dusky purple at the edges, and no effluent whatsoever. She donned a glove, inserted a lubricated finger into the opening with care. She felt it immediately: a solid, crunchy obstruction about two centimeters in. Not a twist or a kink (which would be surgical emergencies), but a food blockage.

Mr. Hendricks let out a sob of relief. “Oh… oh, that’s better.” And he started vomiting

Before leaving, she touched his hand. “You did the right thing calling. Next time, don’t wait for the vomiting.”